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Monday, February 2, 2015

Team Us: Marriage Together -- Review & Giveaway #marriagetogether

On my wedding day, the videographer "interviewed" guests asking what marriage advice they would share with the Bride and Groom. My dear grandfather's recorded advice is to always remember that marriage is NOT 50/50 as most will say. Instead, he said that marriage was always 100/100 -- that each spouse had to give 100% of themselves for the other. This was definitely not just something that he shared lightly. He was married to my grandmother for over 60 years and I've never seen two people so completely in love with one another. Their marriage was a true testimony to what being in a partnership is all about. They left a great legacy for us. My grandparents were a TEAM.

Unlike many couples today, they went into marriage with a "there's no way out" attitude. They worked together, talked things out, lived life side-by-side, and loved each other in spite of failures. Unfortunately, today's culture seems to say that marriage is only important in the good times. Couples walk away and give up before they try to work out their differences. We tend to forget "in good times and bad, for better or worse" and instead give up on the married TEAM while looking only for solo stardom. Marriage needs help.

I've been reading a new book called Team Us: Marriage Together written by Ashleigh Slater (with interjections from her husband, Ted) that walks you through the journey of a marriage from the moment you say "I Do" and helps you see that FOREVER is well within your grasp. Reading through each chapter is like sitting down to chat with a good friend. Ashleigh welcomes you into her heart and shares easy conversation about making your marriage the best it can be.

The sole purpose of Team Us: Marriage Together is to encourage couples to team up and be for each other. If we are honest, we have to admit that marriage is not easy. At all. Too often, we step into our marriage commitment with a me vs. him attitude and we forget that we have agreed to be a part of a TEAM for life.

Ashleigh does an excellent job of reminding even the long-time married that there is more if we allow GOD to be in control. An excellent book for husbands and wives to read, study, and discuss together, Men will enjoy the "Ted Says" portions of each chapter where Ashleigh's husband offers a male perspective and couples will enjoy the conversation starters "Us Time" found at the end of each chapter. They are perfect date night fodder and make for easy discussion.

Team Us: Marriage Together is poised to become a game changer. In my opionion, it should be required reading for every engaged and married couple.

About the book:

176 pages / Forward by Dr. Gary Chapman (author of 5 Love Languages)

What are you agreeing to when you say “I do”? When a couple promises “I do,” they agree to more than just a shared last name, a joint bank account, and no more dateless nights. This husband and wife duo forms a new team. “Life together” becomes their mantra. Nothing can come between them. At least, that’s the plan. But then real life sets in. With it come disappointments and frustrations. If the couple isn’t intentional in their day-to-day interactions, that once enthusiastic “we” can slowly revert to “you” and “me.” Before long, the couple’s left wondering what happened to their team spirit.

Team Us: Marriage Together offers couples practical ways to cultivate and strengthen unity in their marriages. Author Ashleigh Slater shares from her own marriage as she presents couples with realistic ideas on how to foster cooperation, deepen commitment, and exercise grace on a daily basis. “Finishing your marriage story well is definitely within your reach, no matter what your history tells you.”

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Remember that I'm not perfect either. He may have his annoying quirks, but I've got mine, too. ;) Remember why I fell in love with him, not the frustrations of the current day. Always make up and forgive each other the same day. Be the first to say I'm sorry.

Join Me on the Journey

Hello & Welcome!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I am blessed with a 27-year marriage to my MainMost and we have four sweet McBlessings — three lovely Princesses and a Warrior! (Plus two wonderful sons-in-law). GOD has been so gracious to us! I totally rely on HIS Mercy and Love because I am a failure with a FATHER who loves me.
I am a homeschooling mom and we stay much busier than we should. You’ll most likely find us traveling the roads between Home, Church, Girl Scouts, Soccer, and FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics. We love playing games (Phase 10, anyone?) and watching movies and hanging out together. We have been on mission trips to Guatemala, Mexico, and Southeast Asia and KNOW that GOD has BIG PLANS for us.
It is my prayer that we follow HIS PLAN — PLAN A — and not get stuck in Plan B because we failed to listen to DADDY.